Then it was into the pool … the bit that I had been waiting for
We were told that the pool was very warm, of course I didn’t believe them so I took my 2mil lycra skin
It was freezing, everyone was cold … not just me
If I’d have known it would be this cold I would have taken my dry suit and my Typhoon heated vest (which probably would not have worked anyway!!!!!!!)
Our first task was to swim a length under water - I guess they were looking to see that we were all comfortable putting our faces in the water and that no one was going to have a panic attack
Then we were given fins that almost as long as I am tall!
None of them fit me, of course, they were all too big so I wore the booty fins which I had brought with me
There were sixteen of us on the course
There was alot of standing around. If the class was small or the pool was larger I think we would have got more swim time
We were taught how to correctly breath ….. count of five in and ten out
Ten out !!!! after a count of five I was ready to breath in again
I really focused on this and after a while I was able to control my breathing and just about make the count of ten out before I felt like I was going to pass out
Between swims we had to hang off the side of the pool rest our arms on the side, eyes closed, head resting on our arms
Trying to focus on your breathing when you are that cold is very difficult, most of us were shivering when not on the move
After a few under water swims of 32 meters at a time (two lenghts of the 16 meter pool) preceded by the five in and ten out we moved onto relaxation
This time sitting on the steps we buddied up, eyes closed we did our five in - ten out following by three quick in and out breaths (blowing out the candles)
Then turn face down in the water and wait until your buddy turns you over
I remained face down for all of three seconds before I was asked to stop, so my Static Apnea personal best stands at three seconds
I’ll try to beat that one next time I go ;o)
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During lunch we watch the record breaking attempt of Herbert … in No Limits to 214 meters
Back in the lecture theatre and we reviewed breath control … into the belly
I realised that I had only been using a third of my lung capacity while I breathe which is why I was having trouble acheiving the ten counts out
Half the class went into the pool and half the class stayed for the next lecture
In the lecture we reviewed black outs, loss of motor control, prevention, what to do if you see someone in trouble
There were a few of us who were scuba divers and we discussed freediving and scuba during the same trip and borrowing an octopus from a scuba diver while freediving
This afternoon session was very interesting
Back in the pool we did more breath control/ relaxation exercises and more swims under water keeping our heads as low in the water as possible
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The intro course gave me a few credits toward the Aida 2 star ticket which I hope to complete in the next couple of months
…… then I can get my Tanya Streeter silver suit
The course was really good, I’m glad I did it and I’m looking forward to completing the next part of my course
and the challenge is to jump off a boat in the mddle of the ocean and not breath in because my brain thinks I’m on SCUBA ;o)
December 2nd, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Freediving |
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